Sashless window structure

ABSTRACT

A sashless window structure which is economical in building construction and in rehabilitation of old buildings. The structure includes unique track members, preferably extrusions, having a flat base strip and a multiplicity of resilient flat finger strips mounted lengthwise along one surface of the base strip and having enlargements at their free edges. The finger strips define channels therebetween which receive plastic window panes which, principally by virtue of the unique track member configuration, are both slidable in the channels and firmly held in place when released.

Unite taes tent 1191 Gross 1451 Jan. 7, 1975 SASHLESS WINDOW STRUCTURE [75] Inventor: Reinhold W. Gross, Milwaukee,

21 Appl. No.: 332,452

7/1966 Deisenroth et al. 49/441 6/1968 MacDonald .1 49/440 X Primary Examiner-l. Karl Bell [57] ABSTRACT A sashless window structure which is economical in building construction and in rehabilitation of old buildings. The structure includes unique track members, preferably extrusions, having a flat base strip and 52 U.S. c1. 49/413, 49/440 a multiplicity of resilient flat finger Strips mounted 51 1m. (:1 E05d 15/16, E06b 3/02 lengthwise along one Surface 0f the base Strip and [58] Field of Search 49/413, 440, 441; 16/96, s enlargements at their free edges The finger Strips 1 /37 define channels therebetween which receive plastic window panes which, principally by virtue of the [56] Refer Cit d unique track member configuration, are both slidable UNITED STATES PATENTS in the channels and firmly held! in place when re- 3,060,525 10/1962 Migneaultetal 49/413 x leased 3,065,507 11/1962 Cloutier et al. 49/413 X 7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 30 I f Y Patented Jan. 7, 1975 [III 30 III SASIILESS WINDOW STRUCTURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to window construction and specifically to window structures which include movable panes such as accomodate the opening of a window.

2. Description of the Prior Art Window structures are by nature very costly because of the labor and materials necessitated in construction. As is well known, a typical window structure has numerous parts including a frame, sash members such as a bottom rail, a top check rail and side rails, and springs, counterbalances or other devices used to facilitate proper control of the movable portion of the window structure. Because of the number of parts and the complications of construction, such structures are quite expensive. A related problem relates to the requirement that many of the members must be of accurate dimensions to ensure proper operation of the structure and great care must be taken in the construction.

There has been a definite need for a simplified window structure which is easy to make, inexpensive and simple in construction. The need has been particularly acute in the field of rehabilitation of existing structures such as is being undertaken in many inner city areas. Obviously, in inner city areas rehabilitation costs must be minimized so that the rehabilitated houses and buildings are readily affordable by a lower income people. Nevertheless, such rehabilitated structures, which are often sold under government housing programs, must meet the quality standards imposed by the governmental bodies.

The use of plastic panes, such as Plexiglas, makes sashless windows more feasible. However, plastic paned window structures can be difficult to operate, leaky, and generally unsightly. Further, in many cases, dimensioning becomes particularly critical because of the expansion of such panes under acute temperature changes. Thus, there are significant problems in provision of a low-cost window structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention overcomes the aforementioned problems by providing a low-cost, simplified window structure which is easy to construct, easy to operate, and pleasing to the eye. The structure meets all known standards of governmental bodies and agencies and the Federal Housing Authority has expressed approval of the use of such structure in rehabilitation of houses to be sold under F.H.A. programs.

In the structure of this invention, a unique track member is used to receive the opposite edges of a plastic window pane. The track members, which preferably are extrusions, grip the pane on either edge but will allow sliding of the pane therein to open or close the window. This gripping-sliding versatility is due to the novel track member configuration. The track member of this invention has an elongated, substantially fiat base strip, one surface of which is used for attachment to a box frame of the type including two opposing side surfaces, a sill surface and an upper surface. The opposite surface of the track member has a multiplicity of elongated resilient flat finger strips mounted lengthwise therealong in parallel spaced relationship one to the other and in generally normal (perpendicular) relationship to the base strip. Adjacent pairs of the finger strips define channels therebetween which receive an edge of a plastic window pane.

The free edges of the finger strips have enlargements which contribute greatly to the pane-holding characteristics of the track members. Dimensioning of the window pane is not particularly critical, because the enlargements on the finger strips grip the panes in sandwich fashion. The window pane edge should not normally extend to the bottom of the channels. Any pane dimension placing the pane edge short of the channel bottom is acceptable. This provides considerable latitude in pane dimensioning. Older window structures may have gripped a window pane at its opposite edges. In this old type of structure, dimensioning was critical and jams during operation could occur frequently.

Another advantage of the window structure of this invention is that the inventive track members provide an effective weather stripping, to prevent leaks.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION One object of this invention is to provide a simplified window structure which overcomes the aforementioned problems.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simplified window structure in which exact dimensioning is not critical.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simplified window structure in which exact dimensioning is not critical.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simplified window structure which is economical in construction.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simplified window structure which has a pleasing appearance and will open and close with relative ease.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a simplified window structure which functions as an efficient weather stripping.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description and from the drawings showing a preferred embodiment wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a complete window structure according to this invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top sectional view taken along Section 22 as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the track member as in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an alternative embodiment of the inventive track member of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows a sashless window structure 10 which is mounted within a box frame 12 of the type including two opposing side surfaces 14, a sill surface 16, and an upper surface 18.

Track members 20 are mounted, such as by nails 21, on both opposing side surfaces 14 in an upright fashion, and along upper surface 18. Each of the track members is aligned in a plane with the other two track members used.

Track member 20, as shown best in FIG. 3, has a flat base strip 22 which runs along the full-length of track 20. Attached to flat base strip 22 are three resilient flat finger strips 24 which run along the full length of track member along one surface thereof. Finger strips 24 are parallel one to the other (both lengthwise and in their planes) and are spaced apart to define channels 26. Finger strips 24 are of substantially equal width and thus have free edges 28 which are parallel and closely aligned.

Enlargements 30 are connected to free edges 28 of finger strips 24. Indeed, in this embodiment, enlargements 30 are integrally formed with finger strips 24. Enlargements 30 form constrictions 32 of channels 26 at the outward portions thereof. Enlargements 30 grip window panes 34 therebetween and firmly hold window panes 34 while still allowing sliding within channels 26 for opening and closing the window.

Referring specifically to FIG. 2, plastic panes 34 are shown spanning between track members 20. As is shown, the width of panes 34 is less than the distance between the base strips of the two mounted track members such that both pane edges will not be held by the base strips. The dimensioning of panes 34 need not be exact; the width must, however, be less than the measurement between the base strips (that is, the channel bottoms). This makes construction of the window structure simple. The unique track members 20 hold panes 34 on their main surfaces in sandwich fashion, and yet allow for ready opening and closing thereof. FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a normal clearance 36 between pane edges 38 and channel bottoms 40.

As shown in FIG. 2, there are two panes, an upper pane 42 and a lower pane 44. Both may be freely slidable within their respective opposite track member channels. However, in some cases, upper pane 42 is permanently secured in one position within track members 20. This may be done by pinning the'pane to the track member or in other ways obvious to those skilled in the art. Lower pane 44 has latches 46 which are affixed directly thereto, such as by means of bolts. Affixed to sill surface 16 are corresponding clasp members 48 with which latches 46 are engagable to lock lower pane 44 in a closed position. Many pieces of hardware are available which will suit this purpose including devices which automatically lock when pane 44 is closed.

It may be noted that lower pane 44 and upper pane 42 overlap, as is shown in FIG. 1. That is, lower edge 50 of upper pane 42 is below upper edge 52 of lower pane 44. A decorative insulating edge piece 54 is affixed to upper edge 52 of lower pane 44 to prevent leakage of air between the upper and lower panes and to provide a more finished look. A channel edgeengaging piece, as is well known, (with an insulating strip glued to one side) may be used for this purpose.

The track member of this invention must have resilient finger strips 24 to provide the aforementioned holding properties. It is highly preferred that track members 20 be of integral construction such as integral extrusions. Preferred materials for use in track members 20 are nylon, vinyl, butyrate, polyethylene, polystyrene, acetate, abs-cycolac, kralastic, ethyl cellulose, xt-polymers, and acrylic polymer.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of this invention wherein enlargements 30 on the outermost finger strips are smoothed off on their outside edges to provide a more finished appearance. Track members 20 may be hidden by the advantageous placement of wooden strips nailed to side surfaces 14 and upper surface 18. However, track members 20 can be made to give a very pleasing appearance. Indeed, if they are of material of proper color, painting and re-painting may be eliminated entirely. This in itself affects a significant economy because of the well-known problem of painting the complicated sash members of normal window structure.

While in the foregoing specification, this invention has been described in relation to certain preferred embodiments, and many details have been set forth for purpose of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described herein can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention.

I claim:

1. A sashless window structure for mounting within a box frame of the type including two opposing side surfaces, a sill surface, and an upper surface, said structure comprising: a track member mounted upright to each of said opposing side surfaces, each of said members having an elongated, substantially flat base strip one surface of which is affixed to one of said side surfaces respectively, a multiplicity of elongated, resilient flat finger strips mounted lengthwise along the opposite surface of said base strip in parallel spaced relationship and in generally normal relationship to said base strip, adjacent pairs of said finger strips defining channels therebetween, said finger strips being of substantially equal width, and means on said free edges for supportingly gripping sashless window panes, said means comprising enlargements along said free edges, said enlargements along adjacent pairs of said free edges forming pane-gripping pairs which have a normal spacing therebetween and which, by virtue of the resiliency of said finger strips, are free to be biased to a greater spacing; and at least one window pane having one pair of its opposite edges mounted one edge respectively in one channel of each of said track members, the distance between said opposite edges being less than the distance between said base strips of said two mounted track members, said at least one window pane being of thickness greater than said normal spacing.

2. The structure of claim I wherein said track members each have three finger strips, thereby defining two channels, and wherein two of said panes are mounted in corresponding pairs of said channels, one of said panes being a lower pane normally in closed position against said sill surface and the other of said panes being an upper pane normally in closed position against said upper surface and overlapping said lower pane.

3. The structure of claim 2 wherein said panes are of a transparent plastic material.

4. The structure of claim 2 wherein a decorative insulating edge is attached to one of said panes at the overlapping area.

5. The structure of claim 2 wherein at least one releasable latch is attached to said lower pane near said sill surface, said latch being engagable with a cone sponding clasp member on said sill surface.

6. The structure of claim 5 wherein a decorative insulating edge is attached to one of said panes at the overlapping area.

7. The structure of claim 1 wherein said track member is an extruded integral piece. 

1. A sashless window structure for mounting within a box frame of the type including two opposing side surfaces, a sill surface, and an upper surface, said structure comprising: a track member mounted upright to each of said opposing side surfaces, each of said members having an elongated, substantially flat base strip one surface of which is affixed to one of said side surfaces respectively, a multiplicity of elongated, resiLient flat finger strips mounted lengthwise along the opposite surface of said base strip in parallel spaced relationship and in generally normal relationship to said base strip, adjacent pairs of said finger strips defining channels therebetween, said finger strips being of substantially equal width, and means on said free edges for supportingly gripping sashless window panes, said means comprising enlargements along said free edges, said enlargements along adjacent pairs of said free edges forming pane-gripping pairs which have a normal spacing therebetween and which, by virtue of the resiliency of said finger strips, are free to be biased to a greater spacing; and at least one window pane having one pair of its opposite edges mounted one edge respectively in one channel of each of said track members, the distance between said opposite edges being less than the distance between said base strips of said two mounted track members, said at least one window pane being of thickness greater than said normal spacing.
 2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said track members each have three finger strips, thereby defining two channels, and wherein two of said panes are mounted in corresponding pairs of said channels, one of said panes being a lower pane normally in closed position against said sill surface and the other of said panes being an upper pane normally in closed position against said upper surface and overlapping said lower pane.
 3. The structure of claim 2 wherein said panes are of a transparent plastic material.
 4. The structure of claim 2 wherein a decorative insulating edge is attached to one of said panes at the overlapping area.
 5. The structure of claim 2 wherein at least one releasable latch is attached to said lower pane near said sill surface, said latch being engagable with a corresponding clasp member on said sill surface.
 6. The structure of claim 5 wherein a decorative insulating edge is attached to one of said panes at the overlapping area.
 7. The structure of claim 1 wherein said track member is an extruded integral piece. 